10 years later.

10 years ago my Mom began a journey that would change her life. She heard God calling her to go into ministry, through scripture and lots of nudging. She is my inspiration. Because you see, it takes a special and unique person to stop teaching (after you've taught for 20 plus years), after raising two children and after being 40 something (sorry to reveal your age 10 years ago, Mom =P) to suddenly change careers and feel lead to something you never thought or considered. To be honest, I couldn't do it. But she did.

My Mom, she's a woman of God and has experienced lots of joy-filled moments and lots of heartache during these 10 years of school. She began by getting her "feet wet" and taking a course every semester, while still teaching school. She was MOB (Mother of the Bride) when I married Charlie. She then began going to school full time. She got her 1st church as a Student Pastor in 2004 at Lakeside United Methodist Church-which was a big move from the town and house that she got married in and raised Andy and I. She had to physically leave all of her friends and everything that was familiar, to go to "foreign" land. She carried me through the most difficult moment in my life-the loss of my precious Charlie in 2005. As a mother would, she gave up her fall semester to be with me through those first few months. Her reply to the committee for this decision was, "God called me to be a mother first." She was/is selfless. She grew more in her knowledge of Christ through her studies and took more and more classes. She was MOB again, when I married Jeremiah in 2007. She became a grandmother for the first time in 2008, when Ethan was born. She was MOG (Mother of the Groom), when Andy married Shannon in 2008. Then it was those around her who carried her through the most difficult moment of her life, the loss of Andy, not even 6 months ago. Instead of giving up, because as many times as she wanted to and thought she couldn't do it, she persevered through, finishing her schooling and paperwork to graduate in May. Dad and I told her many times (and I think it helped!) that Andy would not want her to give up after coming so far because of his death. Andy was there, indeed, rejoicing with Charlie and God. Again, I couldn't do it. But she did.

I know the depth of what I just wrote doesn't seem like much on paper, I mean 10 years written in one paragraph doesn't do her journey justice, in the least. These words don't even come close to what I feel for my mom and how proud I am of her. I'm very blessed to have a mother like Rachel Hollingsworth. For she gave up all the comforts of familiar land to go and fulfill God's desire for her life in "foreign" land. I Love You, Mom!

Rev. Rachel Hollingsworth, Masters of Divinity

Asbury Theological Seminary

My Momma is so pretty =)

FAMILY

It truly was a wonderful & very bittersweet day. We missed two wonderful men who began this journey with Mom. But as Mom said, "They had the best seat in the house."

Congratulations, Mom!

I'm so proud of you!

Mother's Day.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned & let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:30-31

Happy Mother's Day! I hope all you Mommies had a great day with your kiddos and hubby =)

This is my 2nd Mother's Day. I've had the privilege and honor of bringing a beautiful and precious baby boy in this world (as I type, my child is screaming because he wants to "help" Daddy and Daddy is finished needing his help =) I couldn't ask for anything better than being a Mom, except for one day (way down the road) to be a Grandma (did I mention, way down the road?!) I'm humbled that God has found favor in me to be a fitting Mom, even though at times I don't feel so fitting, able or even honorable as a Mom. But that's ok because every time I feel that I have failed, God still loves me anyways. I feel thankful to celebrate this day by talking to my mom several times =) and being with my husband and Ethan (and feeling baby move =)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 4

Although I've enjoyed my Mother's Day, I'm reminded of those amazing women and moms that are hurting today and that Mother's Day isn't the best day for some. I'm reminded of the women who so want to be a mom, but can't. Of the women & moms who have lost their mom. Of the moms who have lost children through death or miscarriage. And of the moms whose husbands are not on this earth to celebrate this day with them. I honor you all today and feel blessed to know each of you. Because within the hurting heart of yours, lies strength that is very apparent to the outside world. Because even if you think that no one notices or cares, I do and I notice and so does God.

God's compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

~ ~ ~

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

John 16:21

My first homemade Mother's Day gift from Ethan! His finger prints are the ladybug and caterpillar~how creative and sweet! Way-to-go Nursery workers =)

Baby Kline and Mommy~ 19 weeks, 2 days

3 generations~Andy, Grandma Algren (my Mom's mom), Mom and Me

Andy and Grandma are together this Mother's Day.

You, LORD, created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

Save a Place.

It's coming up on 5 months. It's always the days leading up to an 'anniversary' that get me. Here's to my brother, Andy. I love you, I miss you.....

Don't be mad if I cry

It just hurts so bad sometimes

'Cause everyday it's sinking in

And I have to say goodbye all over again

You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world off your shoulders now

I'm dreaming of the day when I'm finally there with you

Save a place for me

Save a place for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

I have asked the question why

But I guess the answer's for another time

So instead I'll pray with every tear

And be thankful for the time I had you here

Save a place for me

Save a place for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

And I wanna live my life just like you did

Make the most of my time just like you did

And I wanna make my home up in the sky

Just like you did

Oh, but until I get there

Until I get there

Save a place for me

Save a place for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there soon

I'll be there soon

Save a Place for Me

by

Matthew West

~MRK

Re-Unite

Re-united and it feels so good......

This song has been stuck in my head pretty much since we started this amazing 10 week marriage bible study. After trying out a couple of churches, we found one that we love: Grace Bible Church. It's just what we were looking for- -more up-beat music (I love some good worship music), a great pastor whose sermons keep you wanting more and really make you think, and some friendly faces. (Not to mention that their nursery is awesome-our church in Colorado Springs did not have a nursery for Ethan) Plus, we just had this amazing feeling that we belonged there. And they have a Heroes at Home Sunday school class for wives of deployed soldiers- - can't wait to get into that in a few months. Now, the first time we went, I didn't like it. I recommend going to a new church at least 3 weeks in a row, just to make sure =)

So, onto our study-- it has been a real eye-opener, to say the least. The object of this study was to help Re-unite couples, whose husbands had just gotten home from a deployment. So, needless to say, this was right up our alley. Even though Jeremiah has been home for over a year, he will be leaving in June for 12 months in Afghanistan. We can always spruce up our relationship =)The topics that were discussed, like the obvious 'communication', really struck a nerve with both of us, because we thought we communicated so well. Oh, no =) One week there was a topic of problem-solving (how do we handle disagreements with our spouses) and even one about intimacy =) Our teachers, Adam and Laura, had tons of information and experience to share. It was wonderful to know that just because your christians doesn't always mean you have the 'perfect' marriage. But it's how you pull through the hard times and stick it out, never using the "D" word as a way out. We definitely have some great ways and scriptures to lean on when those pesky 12 months of deployment get in the way.

So, Sunday was our last study together--we were always looking forward to Sunday nights and very sad to see our time with new friends ending. I was really excited all week, because we knew that they were planning something special & we even got to dress up. But, wow, we had no idea...

There was candlelight, soft and fun music, roses for each lady, our teachers served us our awesome food, and we all had the opportunity to renew our marriage vows! It was an amazing experience that I will always treasure--alone time (short of =) with my man. Oh, and did I mention that they had free childcare throughout these 10 weeks?! Our teachers, Adam and Laura, really went all out of us and made our evening so special.

So, onto some photos......

Ethan and Jeremiah goofing off!

Ethan looking at our church steeple-he gets so excited about it and points to it every time!

Self~portrait--you can never have too many!

Our marriage covenant and rose!

And me, in all my glorious belly.